While not as common, it is possible to switch from a gas water heater to an electric one. Since they have fewer internal parts, electric water heaters generally have a longer service life. They can also take up less space inside your home.
Bowerman: Upgrading utilities can be fairly involved and will certainly require a professional's experience. If converting from gas to electric, not only will a plumber be needed, but the job will require an electrician, to upgrade the electrical panel and run an outlet for an electric water heater.
Cost to Convert a Gas Water Heater to Electric
This makes your total costs between $870 and $4,100 for the replacement of a gas heater with a new electric model. Natural gas is less expensive than electricity in most areas. Therefore, you may see higher monthly costs in addition to the conversion costs.
Energy Efficient Water Heater Comparison
According to the DOE, electric water heaters tend to be more energy-efficient than conventional gas-fired water heaters. This is because gas heaters lose heat via vents while electric heaters don't. This will help you save money on your monthly utility bills.
Gas water heaters are much less expensive to operate long term. Overall, you'll likely spend less money running a gas water heater than using an electric water heater. Still, because the costs of both natural gas and electricity vary by region, you should compare the price of each before making your final decision.
The disadvantages to a water heater fueled by electricity are: Usually has a more expensive maintenance cost. Won't work during power outages unless there is a power source. Heats less water per hour.
Installing an electric tank-style water heater can range between $800 and $1,500. A gas-powered storage tank water heater can cost between $400 and $800 installed. Installation costs depend on the size of the tank and any additional work needed.
Electric water heaters are safer than gas water heaters because there is no gas line, burner or pilot light.
Cheaper doesn't necessarily mean lower quality—electric water heaters also last a few years longer than their gas-powered counterparts. Gas-powered water heaters have a lifespan of about 8-12 years. On the other hand, electric water heaters have a lifespan of 12-15 years.
Yes, an electric water heater typically requires a in-sight disconnect. The National Electric Code (NEC) requires that all fixed electrical appliances, including electric water heaters, have a disconnecting means that is readily accessible to shut off power to the appliance for maintenance or repair.
Yes. The initial cost of converting your tank water heater to a tankless is expensive. Tankless water heaters are 3x more expensive than your average tank water heater. However, the energy savings and supply of endless hot water can outweigh the cost for many.
Gas water heaters tend to heat up more quickly.
As a result, the recovery rate and first-hour rating (FHR)—two numbers that help consumers determine if a unit will meet their household's needs—tend to be higher for gas water heaters than they are for comparable electric models with the same manufacturer and tank size.
50-gallon water heaters have a longer lifespan. In general, 40-gallon heaters last eight years, while 50-gallon heaters can last 12 years. This is because 50-gallon heaters have thicker tanks. As a result, they are less likely to develop leaks.
Unlike gas or propane tankless water heaters, electric tankless water heaters do not need venting because they use electric burners to heat water rapidly. Since no natural or propane gas is used, no venting is needed.
Save Money: Because of their high efficiency, the costs of heating water with an electric water heater are lower than the cost of heating water with a gas tank water heater. Health & Safety: Burning natural gas creates combustion gases such as nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, and formaldehyde.
Gas water heaters require additional piping and a new ventilation system to vent the exhaust coming from the combustion process. On the other hand, electric water heaters do not require this additional in-home infrastructure, so the installation process is both simpler and quicker.
Water Heater Runs Out Of Hot Water Quickly: Possible Reasons Why. As mentioned above, several things can cause a home's hot water supply to run out faster than it should. The three most common culprits are sediment build up, a faulty heating element and a broken dip tube.
If your water heater is more than 10 years old, leaks around the base of the tank or if it works erratically, it's probably time for a replacement. You may also choose to upgrade to a more energy-efficient model to cut your energy expenses.
Tankless water heaters typically have a lifespan of 20 years or more. Traditional water heaters with standing water tanks can last around 10 to 15 years before you notice signs of age.
In this case, an electric water heater is a better option, as it takes less space. Gas heaters will take up more space because they need to vent. Not only that, but the options for placement are more limited, since they have pipes that need to go out of your house.
Put simply, heating your water via your central heating gas boiler is your cheapest and most efficient option, if you have it.
For instance, a medium-sized, 40-gallon water heater that uses 4500 watts and is active for 2 hours a day at a rate of $0.13 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) costs about $1.17 to run per day, which arrives at $35 each month or $426 annually.
Bob Vila says that while electric water heaters may cost more to run than gas-powered water heaters, they're less expensive to purchase because they do not require the complicated gas hookup, installation fees, and open flame heating mechanism of a gas water heater.
Typically, a hot water heater that uses a tank will run for three to five hours per day. So, a 4,000-watt heater used for three hours a day at $. 10 per kWh will cost $1.20 per day, about $36.50 per month, or $438 per year.